8 of California's hottest races

8 of California's hottest races

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With Election Day just hours away, here's a snapshot of the state's hottest races, including four propositions and some hotly contested races for Congress and local offices.

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In a rematch, Dan Lungren and Ami Bera face off for Congressional District 7. Democrats hold a slim registration advantage in the district, where Lungren, a former state attorney and gubernatorial candidate, seeks re-election. After losing his race for governor in 1998, Lungren came back to win the Congressional seat in 2004. Bera, a highly funded candidate, is considered a threat to what some believe is a vulnerable Lungren candidacy.

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Incumbent Rep. Jerry McNerney is facing Republican challenger Ricky Gill. The candidates are vying for Congressional District 9. Gill, 25, is a recent law school graduate who has consistently posted big fundraising numbers. Gill has attempted to paint McNerney as disconnected from the district's needs, while McNerney points to the Republican's lack of work experience. McNerney, a wind-energy engineer, won his seat from former GOP Rep. Richard Pombo.

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Incumbent Rep. Jeff Denham will face Democratic challenger Jose Hernandez. The race puts a former U.S. Air Force veteran against an astronaut. The district stretches up and down the Highway 99 corridor from Manteca to Turlock, after recently being redrawn. Democrats held a 1,805-vote edge in registration over Republicans.

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Stockton Mayor Ann Johnston will go toe-to-toe against Anthony Silva. Mayor Johnston has had to manage a city that has broken records for homicides in consecutive years and filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy. Silva, president/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stockton, has vowed to restore police presence. Johnston has taken measures for a more coordinated effort to combat the city's rising crime.

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Rep. John Garamendi will face Republican candidate Kim Vann for a district that stretches from Solano County to the Sacramento Valley. Congressional District 3 does not look the same as it did when the incumbent was elected.

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Nuts and boltsProp. 30 increases taxes on earnings of more than $250,000 for a term of seven years. It also increases sales taxes by 1/4 cent for four years.

What's at stake? The fiscal impact could increase state tax revenues to $6 billion annually over the next few years. A 'no' vote would result in state spending reductions, primarily to education programs.

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Nuts and boltsProp. 32 prohibits unions from using payroll-deducted funds for political purposes.

What's at stake? If the measure fails, unions and corporations could not use money deducted from an employee's paycheck for political purposes, and they would be faced with additional campaign finance restrictions. The state might have to spend up to a $1 million annually to enforce the law if it's passed.

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Nuts and boltsProp. 34 repeals the death penalty.

What's at stake? With its passage, the death penalty would be replaced with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. It would apply retroactively to existing death sentences. Its passage would also redirect $100 million to law enforcement agencies for investigations of homicide and rape cases.

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Nuts and boltsProp. 37 would require food labeling on foods made from plants or animals that were genetically engineered.

What's at stake? The fiscal impact could translate into new state costs for regulation, ranging up to $1 million. If it passes, genetically engineered foods sold in California would have to be specifically labeled.

With Election Day just hours away, here's a snapshot of the state's hottest races, including four propositions and some hotly contested races for Congress and local offices.

In a rematch, Dan Lungren and Ami Bera face off for Congressional District 7. Democrats hold a slim registration advantage in the district, where Lungren, a former state attorney and gubernatorial candidate, seeks re-election. After losing his race for governor in 1998, Lungren came back to win the Congressional seat in 2004. Bera, a highly funded candidate, is considered a threat to what some believe is a vulnerable Lungren candidacy.

Incumbent Rep. Jerry McNerney is facing Republican challenger Ricky Gill. The candidates are vying for Congressional District 9. Gill, 25, is a recent law school graduate who has consistently posted big fundraising numbers. Gill has attempted to paint McNerney as disconnected from the district's needs, while McNerney points to the Republican's lack of work experience. McNerney, a wind-energy engineer, won his seat from former GOP Rep. Richard Pombo.

Incumbent Rep. Jeff Denham will face Democratic challenger Jose Hernandez. The race puts a former U.S. Air Force veteran against an astronaut. The district stretches up and down the Highway 99 corridor from Manteca to Turlock, after recently being redrawn. Democrats held a 1,805-vote edge in registration over Republicans.

Stockton Mayor Ann Johnston will go toe-to-toe against Anthony Silva. Mayor Johnston has had to manage a city that has broken records for homicides in consecutive years and filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy. Silva, president/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stockton, has vowed to restore police presence. Johnston has taken measures for a more coordinated effort to combat the city's rising crime.

Rep. John Garamendi will face Republican candidate Kim Vann for a district that stretches from Solano County to the Sacramento Valley. Congressional District 3 does not look the same as it did when the incumbent was elected.

Nuts and boltsProp. 30 increases taxes on earnings of more than $250,000 for a term of seven years. It also increases sales taxes by 1/4 cent for four years.

What's at stake? The fiscal impact could increase state tax revenues to $6 billion annually over the next few years. A 'no' vote would result in state spending reductions, primarily to education programs.

Nuts and boltsProp. 32 prohibits unions from using payroll-deducted funds for political purposes.

What's at stake? If the measure fails, unions and corporations could not use money deducted from an employee's paycheck for political purposes, and they would be faced with additional campaign finance restrictions. The state might have to spend up to a $1 million annually to enforce the law if it's passed.

Nuts and boltsProp. 34 repeals the death penalty.

What's at stake? With its passage, the death penalty would be replaced with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. It would apply retroactively to existing death sentences. Its passage would also redirect $100 million to law enforcement agencies for investigations of homicide and rape cases.

Nuts and boltsProp. 37 would require food labeling on foods made from plants or animals that were genetically engineered.

What's at stake? The fiscal impact could translate into new state costs for regulation, ranging up to $1 million. If it passes, genetically engineered foods sold in California would have to be specifically labeled.

With Election Day just hours away, here's a snapshot of the state's hottest races, including four propositions and some hotly contested races for Congress and local offices.

In a rematch, Dan Lungren and Ami Bera face off for Congressional District 7. Democrats hold a slim registration advantage in the district, where Lungren, a former state attorney and gubernatorial candidate, seeks re-election. After losing his race for governor in 1998, Lungren came back to win the Congressional seat in 2004. Bera, a highly funded candidate, is considered a threat to what some believe is a vulnerable Lungren candidacy.

Incumbent Rep. Jerry McNerney is facing Republican challenger Ricky Gill. The candidates are vying for Congressional District 9. Gill, 25, is a recent law school graduate who has consistently posted big fundraising numbers. Gill has attempted to paint McNerney as disconnected from the district's needs, while McNerney points to the Republican's lack of work experience. McNerney, a wind-energy engineer, won his seat from former GOP Rep. Richard Pombo.

Incumbent Rep. Jeff Denham will face Democratic challenger Jose Hernandez. The race puts a former U.S. Air Force veteran against an astronaut. The district stretches up and down the Highway 99 corridor from Manteca to Turlock, after recently being redrawn. Democrats held a 1,805-vote edge in registration over Republicans.

Stockton Mayor Ann Johnston will go toe-to-toe against Anthony Silva. Mayor Johnston has had to manage a city that has broken records for homicides in consecutive years and filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy. Silva, president/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stockton, has vowed to restore police presence. Johnston has taken measures for a more coordinated effort to combat the city's rising crime.

Rep. John Garamendi will face Republican candidate Kim Vann for a district that stretches from Solano County to the Sacramento Valley. Congressional District 3 does not look the same as it did when the incumbent was elected.

Nuts and boltsProp. 30 increases taxes on earnings of more than $250,000 for a term of seven years. It also increases sales taxes by 1/4 cent for four years.

What's at stake? The fiscal impact could increase state tax revenues to $6 billion annually over the next few years. A 'no' vote would result in state spending reductions, primarily to education programs.

Nuts and boltsProp. 32 prohibits unions from using payroll-deducted funds for political purposes.

What's at stake? If the measure fails, unions and corporations could not use money deducted from an employee's paycheck for political purposes, and they would be faced with additional campaign finance restrictions. The state might have to spend up to a $1 million annually to enforce the law if it's passed.

Nuts and boltsProp. 34 repeals the death penalty.

What's at stake? With its passage, the death penalty would be replaced with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. It would apply retroactively to existing death sentences. Its passage would also redirect $100 million to law enforcement agencies for investigations of homicide and rape cases.

Nuts and boltsProp. 37 would require food labeling on foods made from plants or animals that were genetically engineered.

What's at stake? The fiscal impact could translate into new state costs for regulation, ranging up to $1 million. If it passes, genetically engineered foods sold in California would have to be specifically labeled.

8 of California's hottest races

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Updated: 9:08 AM PST Feb 11, 2013

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With Election Day just hours away, here's a snapshot of the state's hottest races, including four propositions and some hotly contested races for Congress and local offices.